Hi Everyone,

Me and 2 other people – 2 adults and 1 child (9 yrs) in total- will be traveling to Japan (Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka) for the first time from Aug 19th – Aug 29th. I've done a fair bit of research for this trip but I would really appreciate it if you guys could share your thoughts on this plan.

Three extra specific questions that I have:

Q1: We plan on mainly using IC cards for moving around, and purchasing extra Shinkansen tickets for moving between big cities. Will this work out?

Q2: We plan on leaving for the next city at night (~6/7 PM) and hotels in Japan have check-out time around 11 AM to 12 PM. So would it be a good idea to forward the luggage to the next city while we explore the current city a bit more before moving to the next city? Or is it better to go to the next city right away?

Q3: Are there any specific activities/places that we should prioritize as first-timers in Japan that are not in the plan?

I also would love to hear you guys' recommendations on your favorite food places along Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka, and any general recommendations/tips are welcome as well!

Thank you!!!

Day 01: Tokyo (Mon – 19th Aug)

• Arrival at Narita airport, buy N’EX tickets and buy Suica cards (if possible) or Pasmo cards
• Drop off luggage at the hotel
• Head to Tsukiji Fish Market and eat street food (breakfast)
• Come back around 2pm and check into hotel
• Dinner –> Either Akihabara or Shibyua for some shopping

Day 02: Tokyo (Tue – 20th Aug)

• Tokyo Disneyland
• Dinner –> Kappabashi Kitchen Tools Street (maybe)
• Hotel and rest

Day 03: Tokyo –> Kyoto [ ~ 3h15min ] (Wed – 21st Aug)

• Check out of hotel
• Forward luggage to hotel at Kyoto [Yamato transport] (maybe)
• Senso-ji temple
• Head to Kyoto [Eifukuchō Station (Shinkansen tickets) or flying]
• Check into hotel in Kyoto

Day 04: Kyoto (Thurs – 22nd Aug)

• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• TBD activity
• Dinner –> Explore Kiyumizudera /Sannenzaka, and Ninnenzaka shopping streets (might be crowdy)

Day 05: Kyoto (Fri – 23rd Aug)

• Chishaku-in temple
• Philosopher's Path  
• Dinner [Try Obanzai]

Day 06: Kyoto –> Osaka [ ~ 30min ] (Sat – 24th Aug)

• Check out hotel
• Arashiyama bamboo forest (maybe) or Some other temples
• Head to Osaka [local trains]
• Check into hotel in Osaka

Day 07: Osaka (Sun – 25th Aug)

• Breakfast [ ]
• Nara park
• Todaiji temple
• Chill in Naramachi and get dinner
• Return to Osaka

Day 08: Osaka (Mon – 26th Aug)

• Universal Studios Japan
• Explore Kuromon Ichiba Market

Day 09: Osaka –> Tokyo [ ~ 3h20min ] (Tue – 27th Aug)

• Check out of hotel
• Forward luggage [Yamato transport] to Tokyo (maybe)
• Owl Café
• Osaka castle or Ryōan-ji or Nijō Castle
• Head back to Tokyo [Shinkansen or flying]

Day 10: Tokyo (Wed – 28th Aug)

• Explore Akasaka
• Statue of Hachiko
• Shibuya Sky (maybe)

Day 11: Tokyo (Thurs – 29th Aug)

• Check out of hotel
• TBD activity
• Fly home [ ]